Festival Roundup August 2018

BIX BEIDERBECKE MEMORIAL JAZZ FESTIVAL (Davenport, IA) – Aug. 2-4
The 2018 Bix Beiderbecke Festival will be held again this year at the Rhythm City Casino Resort in north Davenport. The 47th annual Bix event will offer festival concerts in its Event Center, and boasts three restaurants on-site, free parking (with valet parking available), and is the festival host hotel and a major sponsor of the event. The Resort is in close proximity to many shopping and outside-of-venue dining options. (Festival-goers may make reservations at the RCCR by calling 1-844-852-4386 or 563-328-8000. There are a limited number of rooms in the Bix “Block” at the Rhythm City Casino Resort; if calling, ask for a room for the “Bix Fest.”)
Scheduled bands include The Fats Waller Legacy (All-Star) Band (with Jeff Barnhart, Hal Smith, and Dave Bennett, and others); The Benny Goodman Trio (with Jeff, Hal, & Dave); The Fat Babies (Chicago); Josh Duffee’s All-Star Graystone Monarchs; Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers (St. Louis); and The Wolverines (Minneapolis).
Ticket prices and band schedules available soon; for more information visit www.bixsociety.org; call (563) 324-7170 or email at info@bixsociety.org.

2018 SATCHMO SUMMERFEST (New Orleans, LA) – Aug. 3-5
The 18th annual Satchmo Summerfest presented by Chevron will draw thousands of trad-jazz fans to New Orleans Aug. 3 through 5.
Music will ring out all weekend on festival stages spotlighting traditional jazz, brass bands and children’s programming. Satchmo SummerFest takes place at the Jazz Museum at the Mint. The nominal daily admission of $5 (children 12 and younger are free) helps support local musicians. Among many SatchmoFest highlights is the “Satchmo Club Strut” down Frenchmen Street. The three-day festival features more than 40 jazz performances by local legends and nationally touring virtuosos as well as screenings of jazz films and documentaries, in-depth seminars on jazz history, hands-on workshops, swing dance lessons, trumpet tributes to Pops and interactive exhibits. This year’s musical lineup includes the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas, making her Satchmo SummerFest debut on Sunday, Aug. 5. “Mr. Armstrong was an influence on a lot of young children, including me,” Thomas recalls. “I never thought I would be in the business but then saw him as King Zulu when I was 9 years old. That parade passed right in front of my house and left such an impression!”
Other 2018 Satchmo SummerFest debuts include Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses, Bonerama, Doyle Cooper Jazz Band, Dwayne Burns and His New Orleans Band, James Williams, Mayumi Shara & New Orleans Jazz Letters and Where Ya At Brass Band. Two tented stages will provide three days of musical performances. The lineup includes returning favorites Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr., Bill Summers & Jazalsa, Corey Henry’s Treme Funktet, Ellis Marsalis, Jeremy Davenport, Preservation Brass, and a Trumpet Tribute featuring Ashlin Parker.
In addition to hot music, the SatchmoFest will feature cuisine from some of New Orleans’ favorite restaurants such as Café Dauphine, Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant, and The Praline Connection; (504) 522-5730; satchmosummerfest.org. —Russ Tarby

DECO ON THE DELAWARE (Philadelphia, PA) – Aug. 4
The Philly version of the Jazz Age Lawn Party, Deco on the Delaware is a non-profit fundraiser created by Glen Foerd Conservation Corps in support of Glen Foerd on the Delaware, Philadelphia’s last riverfront estate still open to the public. The 1920s-immersive event takes place on August 4 at Glen Foerd, 5051 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA. Proceeds from this fundraiser support Glen Foerd’s environmental education program.
Entertainment includes Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra, Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society, Queen Esther and her Quartet, The Dreamland Follies, The Fishtown Footers, and Evan Cory Levine. John A. Petty II will act as Master of Ceremonies.
There will be demonstrations, events, and lawn games such as badminton and croquet. Picnic packages must be ordered in advance. Tickets and information may be found at decoonthedelaware.com.

MORRISTOWN JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL (Morristown, NJ) – Aug. 18
The eighth annual festival takes place on Saturday, Aug. 18, from noon until 10 p.m. Thanks to Mayor Tim Dougherty and the Town of Morristown, music fans of all ages enjoy great performances free of charge on the beautiful Green located in the center of the historic town. Parking is available in public lots and the train station just a couple of blocks away. Festival-goers should bring blankets and lawn chairs. This year’s free event will feature Air Force Jazz Big Band: Rhythm in Blue at noon, Bria Skonberg at 2 pm, LaBamba & The Hubcaps at 4, the Bernard Allison Group at 8, and finishes with Davy Knowles from 8 until 10 pm.
Contact Don Jay Smith of LKS Associates at (908) 832-1020; info@morristownjazzandblues.org;
morristownjazzandblues.org/.

JAZZ AGE LAWN PARTY (Governors Island, NY) – Aug. 25-26
The Jazz Age Lawn Party, now entering its 13th year, is New York City’s original prohibition-era inspired gathering. Hosted and conceived by bandleader Michael Arenella, the event started in 2005 as a small gathering of about fifty friends and fans, who came together on Governors Island (situated just below the tip of Manhattan in New York Harbor) to revel in the music of the Jazz Age. This historically sold out event attracts 20,000 fans over two weekends, who come together to discover music and zeitgeist of the 1920s and 1930s, learn the hottest dance steps of the time, frolic in their flapper dresses and glad rags, and enjoy sophisticated bites and vintage-inspired cocktails in a romantic, playful setting.
Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra is the perennial headliner for the event, which also features Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society, The Dreamland Follies, Roddy Caravella and the Canarsie Wobblers, the Gelber and Manning Band, Queen Esther, and Peter Mintun.
Other activities include dance lessons and contests, vintage portraits, a 1920s motorcar exhibition, croquet, and music provided by antique gramophones. The event boasts two huge wooden dance floors and two performance stages with continuous entertainment.
A special Dreamland Picnic Tote Menu is available, and gourmet food trucks will be on-site to provide meals and refreshments. For tickets and further information, visit jazzagelawnparty.com.

HOT JAZZ JUBILEE (Sacramento, CA) – Aug. 31-Sept. 3
Staged at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Sacramento, the sixth annual Hot Jazz Jubilee takes place over the Labor Day weekend. Invited to perform this year are the High Street Party Band, Bob Draga w/ Friends, Crescent Katz, Yosemite Jazz Band, Yve Evans & Company, Holland & Coots, Grand Dominion Jazz Band, Todd Morgan & the Emblems, Cornet Chop Suey, High Sierra Jazz Band, Pub Crawlers, Shelley, Bill & Eddie, Gator Nation, and the Cocuzzi Courtet, with the Royal Society Orchestra providing music for a special Saturday night dance in the Grand Ballroom. Guest artists for 2018 are Cheryl Burt (making her debut at the Hot Jazz Jubilee) along with festival favorites Eddie Erickson, Claudette Stone, Pat Yankee, and Kylie Castro.
Hot Jazz Jubilee will again have a Special Thursday Night set for those who plan on arriving early to the festival. It will start at 7 pm with the bands to be announced early next year. The sets will be in the Grand Ballroom from 7 pm to 10:30 pm and the cost is $25. More information will be available in the near future.
Badge prices range from $20 for students per session to $115 for a three-day all events badge ($105 if purchased before July 31); hotjazzjubilee.com; (916) 813-7665. Please note the new mailing address: 5150 Fair Oaks Blvd. Ste 101-252, Carmichael, CA 95608.

22nd ANNUAL PENTASTIC HOT JAZZ FESTIVAL – (Penticton, BC) Sept. 7-9
Situated between two lakes in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Pentastic Hot Jazz is celebrating its 22nd year. This year, Pentastic presents its hottest three day lineup ever, with 10 bands and one Guest Artist. Bands include Tom Hook and the Terrier Brothers, the long-awaited return of Bria Skonberg with her New York All Stars, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Cornet Chop Suey, Dave Bennett and the Memphis Speed Kings, Dave Bennett Quartet, Cocuzzi Coots Courtet, Bob Draga with Friends, Black Swan Classic Jazz Band, Grand Dominion Jazz Band, and Guest Artist Lance Buller.
There are five venues to choose from and a free shuttle service is provided for travel between venues. Venues include: the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, the Days Inn Conference Centre, the historic stern wheeler S.S. Sicamous, and the Elks Club. All but the Sicamous are dance venues and except for the Elks Club are Handicapped Accessible.
A free Gospel Service will take place on Sunday morning featuring the incomparable Marilyn Keller with the Black Swan Band. Parasol Parades are known to break out in the French Quarter and are encouraged.
Ticket prices (in Canadian Funds) are: three day All Event Badges $115, Friday only $65, Saturday only $80, Sunday only $60, and Youth passes $10/Day.
For further information, visit Pentastic online at www.pentasticjazz.com, or call toll-free (866) 599 3494. Purchase tickets online at www.valleyfirsttix.com.

GRUGELFEST (Toledo, OH) – Sept. 7-9
Named for the late Ralph Grugel, leader of Cleveland’s Eagle Jazz Band, Grugelfest has replaced the annual Fall Dixieland Festival produced for more than 20 years by the EARLYJAS Club of Northeast Ohio. Traditional New Orleans Jazz Bands will be featured, including the St. Louis Rivermen (St. Louis, MO), the New Orleans Nighthawks (Lake Wales, FL), Sunset Stomp Jazz Band (Indianapolis, IN), Buffalo Ridge Jazz Band (Cincinnati, OH), and the Cakewalkin’ Jass Band (Toledo, OH), plus World-Class ragtime piano players and singers.
Tickets are on sale at the Huntington Center Box Office, and may be purchased in person, by mail, or by calling (419) 321-5007. To reserve a hotel room, call the Holiday Inn French Quarter, 10630 Fremont Pike [US 20 @ I-75 / Exit 193 ], Perrysburg, Ohio, at (419) 874-3111. (Be sure to ask for special Grugelfest rates.)
For Festival Information, contact: GRUGELFEST c/o Ragtime Rick, P.O. Box 1071, Toledo, OH 43697; rick@grugelfest.com.

WAWASEE JAZZ PARTY (Syracuse, IN) – Sept. 7-9
The Wawasee Chautauqua organization has announced its first jazz party to be held at four locations, three of them in Syracuse, Indiana, with one in nearby North Webster. Three sessions (one Friday night and two sessions on Saturday. Sunday concludes the weekend with a Jazz Gospel concert from the Gazebo at the Oakwood Resort, followed by a brunch at The Pier Restaurant.
Of the six bands that have been scheduled, the Jazz Assemblage Big Band and the Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra will play only at the Oakwood Event Center in Syracuse. The other four bands—Eddie Metz Trio (featuring Rossano Sportiello), the Climax Jazz Band from Toronto, the Salty Dogs, and the Dave Greer Stompers—will perform at The Owl’s Nest (North Webster), the Syracuse Eagles Club, Wawassee High School (next to the Eagles), and the Oakwood Event Center (Syracuse). There will also be a Free Stage at the Syracuse Lake Park where one may hear local musicians, including Dos Hermanos, Synchrony, Daniel Tucker Band, and Beez & the Rocker.
Premier Pass, $100 (includes all stages, all three days, Sunday’s concert and brunch, and Jazz Party t-shirt and CD); Evening passes for Friday, $30 (5pm-11pm) and Saturday night, $30 (6pm-12am); Saturday afternoon pass, $20 (1pm-5:30pm). For tickets and information, please visit www.chautauquawawasee.org /annual-wawasee-jazz-party-sept-7-9th/

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA RAGTIME AND AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL (Orbisonia/ Rockhill Furnace, PA) – Sept. 21-23
Two tiny towns—Orbisonia and Rockhill, each with populations of less than 500—were forever united by the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company. In the railroad’s early days, ragtime was the popular music of the day, and the Central Pennsylvania Ragtime and American Music Festival (September 21-23) celebrates that musical heritage. Scheduled performers for the tenth annual event include Danny Coots, Richard Dowling, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Daniel Souvigny, Adam Swanson, and Bryan and Yuko Eguchi Wright.
For ticket pricing and other festival information, please call David Brightbill at (814) 447-3984 or write PO Box 272, Orbisonia, PA. 17243; rockhillragtime.org/

OREGON COAST JAZZ PARTY (Newport, OR) – Oct. 5-7
Oregon Coast Council for the Arts celebrates 15 years with the Oregon Coast Jazz Party October 5-7, 2018 at the Newport Performing Arts Center and at the Shilo Inn Suites Hotel, both in Newport. “Honoring Women in Jazz” is the theme of this year’s event, to mark its 15th anniversary.
Director Holly Hofmann’s roster includes jazz violinist Regina Carter’s Quartet, alto sax star Grace Kelly’s Quartet, and guitarist Mimi Fox’s renowned San Francisco String Trio; as well as Tanya Darby on trumpet, vocalist Sinne Eeg, Yve Evans on piano and vocals, Kerry Politzer’s Bossa PDX, and pianist Helen Sung. The South Eugene High School Dorians vocal jazz ensemble will also appear at the event this year, with Evans at the piano
Jazz party patron levels, $250, $500 and $1,000; (541) 265-2787; oregoncoastjazzparty.org.

JUBILEE BY THE SEA (Pismo Beach/Arroyo Grande) – Oct. 25-28
Jazz Jubilee (by the Sea) is celebrating its 42nd year with the theme, “It’s New Orleans on the Central Coast,”—and the event has grown to include the neighboring city of Arroyo Grande. The Pismo Jubilee is always the last full weekend in October.
New bands for 2018 include: Professor Adrian Cunningham and his Old School and the Shake ‘Em Up Jazz Band from New Orleans.
Returning favorites include: Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Blue Street, Cornet Chop Suey, High Sierra, Midiri Brothers, Tom Hook and the Terriers, Dick Williams Jammers, We Three plus One, Ivory and Gold, Creole Syncopators, Rag Bone Saints, Mariachi Autlence, High Street Party Band, The Au Brothers, Sue Palmer and Her Motel Swing Orchestra, Night Blooming Jazzmen, Ulysses Jasz Band, Larry and Dawn + Friends, and featuring special sets with guest artists Bob Draga, Carl Sonny Leyland, Larry Scala, Jeff Barnhart, Danny Coots, Washboard Steve, Pat Yankee, Bob Schulz, and Paul Ingle.
Early Bird 3-Day badges are $100. The Thursday night performance featuring, We Three plus One, will be held at the Vet’s Hall. Badge sales: PO Box 356, Pismo Beach, CA 93448; 805-539-5696. For badges and more information, please visit pismojazz.com/JubileeByTheSea.htm. Information: pismojazz@pismojazz.com.

ARIZONA CLASSIC JAZZ FESTIVAL (Chandler, AZ) – Nov. 1-4
This 29th annual event will take place at its home for the last 15 years, the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort in beautiful Downtown Chandler, AZ. The Crowne Plaza is a co-sponsor of the Festival and a focal point of the vintage Downtown allure with plentiful restaurants and boutique shops only a few steps away. Among the many highlights of this Festival are the special educational sets presented by the bands. In conjunction with the Festival, the Phoenix Lindy Exchange hosts hundreds of dancers who Lindy Hop into the wee hours on Friday and Saturday. They love the “hot” live jazz played by the Festival bands.
The music starts at 5:30 pm on Thursday, November 1st, and ends at 5 pm. on Sunday, November 4, after a Grand Finale highlighting the music of the Ink Spots by We3.
Howard Alden will play both guitar and banjo with a few of the groups. The bands will be: “Big” B.A.D. Rhythm, Cornet Chop Suey, Dan Reed’s Dixieland Hotshots, Dave Bennett Quartet, 52nd Street Jazz Band, High Sierra Jazz Band, Jammers led by Cheryl Thurston (all musicians welcome), Kris Tokarski Trio, Queen City Jazz Band, St. Louis Rivermen, Sentimental Breeze, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi, Sun City Stomperz, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, We Three plus One, Wildcat Jazz Band, and Wolverine Jazz Band.
All Event badges may be purchased in advance for $110 before August 15 and $130 starting August 16. Tax-deductible co-sponsorship donations in support of the bands are in addition to badge purchase and start at $500 per person. Sponsor benefits include reserved seating and Hospitality Room privileges. Day badges are available only at the door. There will be an Afterglow following the Festival from 6 – 8:30 p.m. Cost will be $30 per person and includes dinner. For details, go to azclassicjazz.org or call 480-620-3941. Send checks or credit card orders to ACJF, 10918 E. Michigan Ave., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.

MIKE DURHAM’S INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC JAZZ PARTY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK) – Nov. 2-4
The Party was first founded in 1990 by Mike Durham in Whitley Bay, near Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK, and has grown bigger and better with each successive year.
The jazz party will run from mid-day on Friday until late on Sunday evening at the four-star Village Hotel & Leisure Centre, Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside, some 70 miles south of Scotland in northeast Great Britain. The festival takes place in a luxurious setting with assigned seating of eight to a table, and tables are rotated twice daily. The program explores jazz from its first 40 years, with special jam sessions in the Victory Pub in the wee small hours.
This year’s musicians include trumpeters/cornetists Enrico Tomasso, Andy Schumm, Malo Mazurie, Mike Davis, Jamie Brownfield, Duke Heitger; reed players Claus Jacobi, Dan Levinson, Michael McQuaid, Matthias Seuffert, Richard Exall, Lars Frank, Ewan Bleach; trombonists Jim Fryer, Adrian Fry, Graham Hughes; pianists Jeff Barnhart, Keith Nichols, David Boeddinghaus, Morten Gunnar Larsen, Martin Litton; banjoists/guitarists Thomas “Spats” Langham, Martin Wheatley, Jacob Ullberger; percussionists Nick Ball, Nick Ward, Josh Duffee, Richard Pite; bassists/tubists Henri Lemaire, Malcolm Sked, Phil Rutherford; violinist Emma Fisk; and vocalists Joan Viskant and Nicolle Rochelle.
Places for the 2018 Party will cost £160 per person for the weekend. (Exchange rates as of July 15: $1.32 US = £1 UK.) All bookings are 100% refundable in case of cancellation due to serious illness, bereavement, or other unavoidable cause. For tickets and other information, please visit whitleybayjazzfest.org; email: wbjazzfest@btinternet.com.

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